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Remove Jockey Pump Used to Avoid False Alarm?

10/14/2021

9 Comments

 
I ran into a wet pipe fire sprinkler system that has a small pressure pump installed on the riser.

The control valve and the alarm valve are dated 1957.

Since this pump was installed and accepted, can it be removed or taken out if it's not working?

I understand the pump was used to keep the alarm valve from opening during water pressure fluctuations to keep the false alarms from happening.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
9 Comments
Alex
10/14/2021 07:08:36 am

HI Anonymous,

If you can prove that the pump is not required in order to produce adequate pressure at the buildings most remote area, you can remove it. From your post, it sounds like the sole purpose is simply to mitigate false alarms.

If false alarms continue once the pump is removed, I would look into a retard chamber.

Thanks,
Alex

Reply
Clinton Summers
10/14/2021 09:31:09 am

If the date of install is 1957 then there should not be any calculations concerns unless the system was calculated after 1970s all systems before 70s we're pipe schedule systems

Reply
Jay
10/15/2021 12:57:29 pm

Systems prior to 1970 were hydraulically calculated as well. For example see the chapter for hydraulically calculated systems in the 1969 edition at nfpa.org/13.

Jesse
10/14/2021 08:09:54 am

It doesn't sound like the pressure pump is providing anything of material value to the hydraulic remote area, and I certainly doubt its listed. If all of that is the case, it can be removed.

and Alex is right about considering a retard chamber if they are still transmitting false alarms

Reply
Matt C
10/14/2021 08:11:37 am

Why not just replace it?
Typical excess pressure pump is an Albany 1/3 HP, and can be purchased from most fire protection suppliers.

I'm in Ontario Canada and typical cost is $300-$500 plus labor.
If you're handy it's a pretty easy fix though.

Reply
David Kendrick
10/14/2021 11:24:48 am

From my experience these excess pressure pumps were installed to keep the alarm seat firmly in place. When the system's pressure would get a surge the alarm valve's seat would lift and allow water to run into the alarm line and to the bell.

The pumps were a method to reduce or eliminate surges and false alarms.

It always seemed to me that if the alarm check and trim were internally inspected and maintained as it was designed the built in bypass checks would remedy the surge issue.

Instead of installing an excess pressure pump.

I’m curious, is there a backflow preventer upstream of this alarm check?

Reply
Franck
10/14/2021 11:47:49 am

As indicated by Alex and Jesse, there is no requirement for a Jockey pump downstream an ACV. So you can remove it, no issue.
And as stated by Alex, if the problem is false alarm, then a retard chamber is a better option. Or possibly a delay on the tamper switch (less reliable)

Reply
Jack G
10/14/2021 12:03:34 pm

Probably an old ADP excess pressure pump, used for situations of " a lot of water use in the town, day time, ptessure low, then around 4-7 pm, pressure shoots up. We used to install an extra check back then, 50 s when we knew of situation. "
Salisbury MD , Perdue used almost entire water supply for their plant. 35 psi residual ,1000 gpm, day.
175 psi night. No trouble pulling 2500 gpm .

Reply
Mark Harris
10/20/2021 06:53:57 pm

Agree sounds like Albany or old ADT excess pressure pump. If the flow alarm has been updated over the years to a vane type waterflow switch with adjustable retard my no longer need. As others noted was designed to prevent false alarms on water surges. Somebody mentioned backflow preventer and at least for single wet riser systems the backflow requirements made alarm valves with pressure style flow switch and perhaps a water motor alarm gong uncommon.

Reply



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  • Blog
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  • THE TOOLKIT
    • SUBMIT AN IDEA
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    • DOMESTIC DEMAND*
    • FIRE FLOW CALCULATOR*
    • FIRE PUMP ANALYZER*
    • FIRE PUMP DATABASE*
    • FRICTION LOSS CALCULATOR
    • HANGER SPACER*
    • IBC TRANSLATOR*
    • K-FACTOR SELECTOR*
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('19 ONLY)
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('99-'22)*
    • LIQUIDS ANALYZER*
    • OBSTRUCTION CALCULATOR
    • OBSTRUCTIONS AGAINST WALL*
    • PLUMBING FIXTURE COUNTS
    • QUICK RESPONSE AREA REDUCTION
    • REMOTE AREA ANALYZER*
    • SPRINKLER DATABASE*
    • SPRINKLER FLOW*
    • SYSTEM ESTIMATOR*
    • TEST & DRAIN CALCULATOR
    • THRUST BLOCK CALCULATOR
    • TRAPEZE CALCULATOR
    • UNIT CONVERTER
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